Foot and last measuring machine



Jan. 1, 1935.

H. M. HASKELL ET AL FQOT AND LAST MEASURING MACHINE 3 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1930 .Jan. 1, 1935. H. M. HASKELL ET AL FOOT AND LAST MEASURING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PM" 1" "119" imi nkrawi Jan. 1, 1935.

M. HASKELL ET AL V FOOT AND LAST MEASURING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 xx M Patented Jan. 1,1935

1,986.7 8 roo'r AND LAST MEASURING MACHINE Harold M. Haskell, Nashuay. H., and Seward M.

Paterson, Brookline, Mass.', assignors of onehalf to J. F. McElwain (30., Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts, and one-half to Melville Shoe Corporation, New :corporation of New York i York, N. Y., a

Application February 26,1930, Serial No. 431,423 9 Claims. oiias syh,

This invention relates to "machines or apparatus for measuringfeet, shoes, lasts, and thelike.

It is, the chief object of the inventionto devise i an apparatus ofthis character which will not .5 only be useful in obtainingthose measurements desired in fitting a shoe to a foot, but which will be more especially adapted for the collection of data upon which to base new designsof shoes, or information useful to shoe manufacturers orlast makers for other reasons. i The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when readin connection with the accompanying draw? ings, and the novelfeatures will be particularly pointedout in the appended claims. In the drawings, e 2

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an'apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations showing certain de tails of 1 construction of the" machine shown in Figs. land 2; and .1

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in se tion, showing the appliance for measuring the pitch of the curve at the back of the heel. i i

The machine shown in the. drawings comprises a base 2which may be made of any suitablema terial and whichserves both as asupport for the foot or last to be measured, and also to support the various units of i the apparatus; It is preferable to support the foot in. substantially the position that it takes when in a shoe; that is, with the heel elevatedsomewhat above the plantar or weight bearing surfaces of the forepart. For this reason the base isequipped with a heel support 3,

Figs. 2 and 5, which has an upper, concaved, or

cup-shaped surface to fit approximately the rounded plantar surface of the heel, the concave surface being locatedabove the surface of the base at an elevation about'equal to the height of a shoe heel. The foot should be supported in the machine with its longitudinal median axis substantiallyin the line oraxis A-eA, Fig. 2, the ball 'portion of the foot resting .on the part 4 of the base. The position of i the heel longitudinally in the axis A-A is determined by a stationarystop 5, Figs. 1, 2 and 5,usually made of metal and shaped to engage the rounded rear end of the heel. Considering first the measurement of the length dfthe foot, it may be pointed. out that the ordinary size of shoes, such as a sizeflf or sizes shoe, refers solely to length. Consequently, where the term"size is used hereinafter italso'will refer simply to length unless qualified in some manner inconsistent with this use of the term.

' In order to make the size measurement a length gage 6 is mounted for movement longitudinally of the axis A--A toward and from the toes of the foot, thisgage consisting of a plate supported on a slide -'7 which is mounted in a" dove-tail guideWay'B, 'as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A

pointer9-projects laterally from the gagefi and cooperates with a scale 10 mounted on thebase to indicate the size of the footbeingmeasured.

It is desirable both for 'the purpose of making the "size determinatiomand alsoin making other measurements, to have the foot located in a sub stantially predetermined position on the base.

*Its rearward position" is determined bythe stop 5, "and inorder to fix its position laterally an abutment 12 is provided'to-engage the side of the foot. Such an abutment may be made. tocontact with either side of the foot, but i the ma.- chine shown it has been arranged to engage the foot atjthe side of the great'toe joint, or what sometimes is referred to as the ball poin 'of the footQf-It is obvious that the position of this point will vary longitudinally-with difi erent; sizes of feet, "andfthat if feet of difierent sizes archof the ball point also will vary laterally. The

standard position for this point in the respective sizes of feet, and it is clear that normal feet the location ofthis point will move outward and forward as the size or length increases; and that there should bea fixed relationship between the position of this point and the length of the foot. Such a relationship is established and maintained in this apparatus between the size gage 6 andthe lateral abutment 12. For this purpose the abutnient is mounted on a slide 13 which is provided with a slot 14to receive a pin 15 and the shank of a pin "or screw 16. These parts 15 and 16 guide the slide 13 for movement inadefinite path which is inclined forwardly and outwardly with reference to the axis A-A. The slide 13 also is provided with a rack 17', and the size gage 6 likewise has a rack 18 secured to it by anarm 19. A gear 21 meshes with the rack 17 and also with a pinion 22 to which another gear 23 is fastened so that itrotates with the pinion, and the latter gear meshes with the rack cated in the manner above described the position quently, measuring a foot, the'hee'l portion of which has been properly placed againstthe-stop 5, the gage 6 is advanced to meet the toe and the abutment 12 is simultaneously moved into engagement with the side of the foot at the great toe joint. If the position of the foot is such that the abutment strikes the side of the foot before the gage 6 meets the toe, then the foot should be shifted outward slightly. On the other.

hand, if the gage 6 strikes the toe while the abutment 12 is still out of contact with the foot, then the foot should be moved inwardly until the ball point strikes the abutment.

The foot then is in a definite position such that the other measurements desired can be made the certainty that variations in them are not due to variations in the position of the feet. The foot now having been positioned definitely the width measurement can be made, and for this purpose a width gage 25 is arranged to be moved intocontact with the side of the foot opposite the abutment 12. This gage consists of a plate mounted; one slide 26 supported in a dove-tail guideway 27. A coiled spring 28 mounted in a-groove in the lower side of the base acts on the slide 26 to press the gage 25 against thefoot inthe region at or adjacent to the little tee'j-oint-the spring being used for the purpose oi applying substantially the same pressure in all cases. Secured to theslide 26 is a scale 30 whichycooperates with a stationary scale 31 to give;widtlr'measurements. The scale ,30- bears size' designations 5 and the scale 31 Width indications, so that when the size or length of the foot has been determined the clerk or attendant thenfinds the correct width on the scale 31 OD: posite to the size designation onthe scale: 30. 'Sincethe width measu-.rement as. read on the scale 31 will depend not only on variations in the width of; feetbut also on the position-in which. feet of different sizes are located by the abutment 12, we have found itpreferable to make the" angle of adjustment ,of' this abutment such that; the lateral component of its movement, in moving from one size adjustment to the next, somewhat less than, and preferably one-half'of, the normal difference in width-between said sizes. This means that normal feet of medium wid-th,lsay Width C, willbe approximately centered. in the apparatus.

. There is considerable difference in the width of the heel portions of feet which becomes an important factor both-in the manufacture of shoesand in the fitting of them. In order tomeasure such difierence a pair of calipering jaws 3-2 and 33 are mounted to engage the opposi te sidesof a heel positioned against the stop 5.; Preferably these jaws are both pivotedon a common pivot-stud or screw 3 located behind the stop, 5 and substantially in the axis AA. A springg -35- connectsthem and tends to press them 7 against the opposite sides of the heel being measured. The. jaw 33 has a plate-like extension or arm 36 projectingbeyond its pivot and provided with a scale 37, while the other jaw carries a pointer '38 mounted to cooperate with said scale 3'Zto. indicate variations in the widths of heels.

Stop lugs. 40,. Fig. 2, on the two jaws cooperate to. limit their range of. movement toward each Othe5 and'in a definite and fixed ratio to the movement differentieet.

In order to center these parts when there is no foot in the apparatus, a spring 41 is coiled around a rod 42 which is pivoted at 43 to a projection from the jaw 33, the spring bearing at q fi nd a st. sa pr e t on: ndatits pposite end against a stationary lug, 44 through which the rod 42 extends. This spring, therefore, tends to hold the arm 36 of the jaw 33 in contact with the stop 45.

At the back of the ankle and immediately above the heel, or at approximately the junction of the rear surfaces of the heel and ankle, there is an inward curve which requires particular attention. in the manufacture of low shoes. The degree of this curvature, or, in other words, the longitudinal relationship of this surface to the extreme rear end of the heel, varies materially in Inorder to measure these variations the machine shown is equipped with a de Vice 46, best shown in Fig. 5, as consisting of an arm. mounted on a horizontal pivot 4'7 and adapted to swing through a slot formed centrally in the heel'stop. 5, as illustrated. in Fig. 2. In Fig. this arm46 is shown swung somewhat to the rear of its normal position. A spring 48 acts on an extension 49'of the arm 46 to urge this arm forward. When the heel of a foot to be measured is placed against the stop 5, the upper end portion of the arm 46 engages the curve at approximately the'junction of the rear surface of the ankle with the heeland pushes the arm backward against the action of the spring 48 to a degree depending upon the contour of this portion ofthe foot. The

extent to which this arm is forced backwardly "is measured by a pointer.5 0, Fig. 5, rigid with the arm 46 and mounted toswing along a scale 51. on the stationary bracket 52.

I'hehleight or thickness of the foot at the instep and immediately over the ball point are important factors in making shoes that will fit comfortably and will set smoothly. For the purpose of measuring; these elevations an arm 53 is arranged to be moved into engagement with either the instep or the part of the foot directly over the ball, as desired. This arm is supported for adjustment on two rods or posts 54, both fixed in one end of the dove-tail slide 55 which is supported for" adjustmenthorizontally in a metaiplate- 56 grooved to receive the slide. Saidplate is secured to the base 2 and supports the slide for movement longitudinally of the base andparallel to the axis A--A. A yoke '57 connects the upper ends of the posts 55 and holds them in alinement, and the fit of the arm 53" on. these posts is such that it will be held by friction to any position to which it is moved. One. of the posts 54 is graduated in inches and fractions thereof, or in any other desired manner, so that the heightof the arm can be read on the scale 58.

It is desirable that the measurements of the thickness or height of the instep and ball portion of the foot shall be taken at the same points on all feet of the same size and the plate 56 therefore is provided with a size scale 59 to cooperate with a line 60 on the slide 55 in setting the arm 53 properly for making the instep measurements. A size scale 61 on the plate 56 cooperates with a mark 62 on the slide to determine the longitudinal position of the slide, and hence the arm 53, in measuring the height of the foot at the ball. The slide 55 may be secured in any adjusted position by a clamp '70 set into the plate and having a thumb screwthreaded through it and into the ent feet, 1 andrforwthisi purpose a; device 64;;is

mounted tobe brought intoengagement with this :part of thefoot. Thepart fi irformsone member of" arch, measuring attachment which is aret, .65. provided with a split clamp portion through i which a hole 66, Fig: 2,'is.formed to receivean up- 68 secured on the base .2.

right post 6'1 that, projects rigidly froma, plate A thumb screw 69 threaded through the split clamp portion of the bracket to;bindthis,, member securely on the The arch engaging is supported on the lower ends of two rods "Hand '12, respectively,

Fig, 1-,-both guided ,inanextension 73, of the bracket 65. A third rod 74 secured in the part 73, cooperateswith the rod '72; 110: ,lide a cross head 51 5, this cross head being ,securedfast to the rod -72but sliding ontherod'iri. Aspring '76encircles the former rod and. abuts, at its opposite ends against themernbers'lfi ,andfl5, thus tending to elevate thecross head and serving, therefora lto raise the device 64 into engagement with,- and to press it against, the arch "of} ,the foot being measured,

The pointat whichthe movementnof this device is arrested by its contact, with the, arch of the foot is indicated onia' scalef'lfi formed on the outer edge of a curved? part}? 9 of the bracket 65, a pointer 80" being'provided to swing over this scale. This pointer is carried by a toothed sector81, Fig. 1, mounted to swing on the pivot screw 82 and meshing with a rack 83 which is secured to the cross head "75. The arrangement issuch that this indicating mechanism multiplies and amplifies or increases the movement of the arch engaging device 64 and therefore permits the measurement of variations in the elevation of arches of different feet with a high degree of accuracy.

The arch engaging device 64, when in its elevated position, offers some obstruction to the initial positioning of the foot and'it may, therefore, be depressed into the cavity or recess 84 formed in the base plate and locked in its depressed position by a thumb screw 85 which is threaded through the bracket member 73, the

. since this point will vary'in feet of different sizes,

' the bracket 65 is mounted to swing on the post 67 so as to adjust thedevice 64 longitudinally of the arch. Thebase plate 68 is provided with a scale 86, Fig. 2, graduated in sizes and arranged to cooperate with the side of the bracket 65so that the bracketcan be adjusted to the proper position for measuring the elevation of the arch of any individual size of foot. This ensures the measurement of arches offeet of the same size at substantially the same point lengthwise of the foot.

It will now be appreciated that the invention provides a relatively compact machine which is particularly adapted for the collection of information or data useful to the shoe manufacturer and the last maker. Such informationnot only is valuable in the designing of shoes and lasts,

but is useful also in connection with certain shoe making operations, in the checking of the measurements of lasts, and forja variety of other purposes. The particular machine shown is designed more especially for the measurement of mens feet. It will be evident, however, that the same machine can readily be calibrated for measuring and .classifyingthetlasts for mens feet, and

thatmachines of: the same organization, but differingsornewhat in dimensions, can be made-I for measuring. womens and childrens feet in any de-.

sired range, and thelastsused. in 'these" ranges.

Inthe appended claims, therefore, a last is regarded as the equivalent of afoot;

While we have herein shownand described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may ;be embodied inother forms. without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. ,i Having thus described" our inventionywhat, we desireto claim as new is:

1. A foot measuring apparatus comprising, ,in

combination, a base for supporting; a foot, astop for engagingithe rear end of 'theiheel, andtdetermining itsposition on saidbase a slidable abutment for engaging the side of the foot, a size gageadjust'abletoward and'from the toeof the foot, and positive: connections :between said abutment and said "gage for causing the"=abutment to move longitudinally and laterally of the foot simultaneously with the adjustment of said gage but at a different rate and in a definite fixed ratio'tothemoveinent of the gage; T v

"2. Af'oot measuringapparatus comprising, in

moved both longitudinally and laterally of the footby said adjustment.

3. A foot measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a base-for supporting. the foot in measuring position, a stop on said base against which to position the rear end of the heel, an

abutment for engaging the side of the foot,

-means supporting said abutment for adjustment laterally to center feet of different sizes on said base, a size gage adjustable toward and from the toe of the foot, two slides on which said gage andabutment, respectively, are mounted, means for guiding said slides for movementin different directions, racks on said slides, and gearing meshing with said racks andserving to transmit the adjustment of one, slide to the other in a definite and fixed ratio. v

4. A foot measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a base for supporting the foot in measuring, position, a stop on said base against which to position the rear end of the heel, an abutment for engaging the side of the foot, means for supporting said abutment for movement in a fixed path inclined forwardly and laterally away from the position normally occupied by the longitudinal median axis of the foot, a rack movable withsaid gage, a second rack movable with said abutment, and gearing meshing with said. racks and serving to transmit the adjustment of said gage to said abutment in a definite and fixed ratio. i

5. A foot measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a base for supportinga foot with its longitudinal median axis inapproximately a predetermined position, a stop for engaging the rear end of the heel and determining its position on said base, a slidable abutment for engaging the side of vthefoot; at the great toe joint, means supporting said abutment for movement in afixed path inclined forwardly and laterally awayfrom saidJaxis at an .angle such that the adjustment Qf Said-abutment from one size to another moves the abutment laterally about half the normal difference inwidthbetweensaid sizes, and a width gage adjustable to engage the side of. the

combination, a base for supporting the foot in latter gage to give width designations.

foot in'theregion of the little toe joint.

6. A foot-measuring apparatus comprising, in

measuring position, 'a-stop on'said base against which to position the-rear end of the heel, an abutmentv for engaging the side of the foot at the great toe joint, means supporting said abutment for lateral adjustmenmasize gage adjustable towardandfrom the toe of the foot, positive connections between said abutment and gage for aduring-position, a stop on said base against which to position the rear end of the heel, a pivoted member for engaging "the rear curved surface of the ankle at. approximately itsjunction with the heel, a spring for pressing saiddevice'against said curved surface, and a scale cooperating with said device to indicatevariations in the relationship of said surface to the rear end of the'heel. r

8. A foot measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a base for supporting a foot in measuring position, a stop on-said base against which to position the rear end of the heel, a device for engaging the arch of a foot supported in measuring position, means supporting said device for up and down movement, an indicator for measuring the movements of said device comprising a rack connected with said'device to move with it, a sectormeshing with said rack, an arm carried by said sector, and a scale over which said arm moves.

'9. A foot measuring apparatus comprising, in combination, a base for supporting a foot in measuring position, a'stop on said base against which to'po'sition the rear end of the heel, a devicefor engaging the rearcurved surface at ap proximately the junction of the back of the ankle with the heel, meansfor operatively supporting said device, and a scale cooperating with said device to indicate variations in the relationship of said surface to the back of the heel in a direction longitudinally; of the foot. I I

' JI-IAR'OLD M. HASKELL.

.' SEWARD M. PATERSON. 

